The holiday atmosphere that pervades the Macy's store in Center City, Philadelphia, stands in stark contrast to the ongoing legal battle the Harrison family is embroiled in following the tragic killing of security guard Eric Harrison last year. As FOX 29 reported, the family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Macy's, alleging negligence in failing to prevent the violent act that led to his death. Last December, Harrison was fatally stabbed by Tyrone Tunnell, a man with a substantial criminal history who returned to the store after being ejected for trying to steal hats.
During a confrontation at the store, Tunnell exited only to return approximately 15 minutes later, armed with a switchblade. During the ensuing altercation, he stabbed Harrison in the neck along with another security guard, who sustained non-fatal injuries, as per NBC Philadelphia. Tunnell hopped on a SEPTA train and fled to Kensington, where the authorities later apprehended him. Following his arrest, Tunnell pleaded guilty to murder and related offenses, with his sentencing scheduled for February 13, 2025. The lawsuit filed by Harrison's family also points to an extensive criminal history before the fatal incident.
According to the 6abc article, attorney Eric Zajac claimed that the store had been experiencing "brazen and violent thefts" and the need for increased protection was known. Harrison's family seeks at least $150,000 in damages and alleges that the retailer ignored repeated threats to staff and shoppers, turning down requests for protective gear such as "flak jackets" and that the store had reported 1,000 thefts in the months before the stabbing.
The City of Philadelphia is implicated in the suit as well, criticizing a previous policy by the District Attorney's Office that treated retail thefts under $500 as a lower-level crime, a policy District Attorney Larry Krasner repealed earlier this year to combat rising retail thefts throughout the city, in a statement obtained by 6abc, Macy's expressed their heartbreak over the tragedy. Still, they declined further comment on the ongoing litigation. Amid emotional statements during a press conference, Harrison's mother, Dawn Fobbs, said in a statement obtained by FOX29, "My child died in between the Polo and Tommy Hill Departments, and Macy’s hasn’t said anything to me. My son died there," while Harrison's father, Eric Coates added that with the legal action, the family seeks to prevent similar tragedies hitting other families in the future.
